Sunday’s racing is at Seoul with 11 races from 10:35 to 17:55, and at Yeongcheon where there are 6 races from 12:45 to 16:30. Here are the previews:
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(10) GEOLJAK MARU was 3rd at start two over 1200M in August and was then given a run in the Listed Gwacheon Mayor’s Trophy where, as the longest shot on the board, he ran a creditable 5th of nine. That form is far superior to anything else here. (7) METAL INVADER hasn’t raced since finishing 4th over 1200M back in March. He’s been back in work a long time though and has been gelded since we last saw him. He showed at the front in a trial at the start of this month and while he did weaken, he couldn’t have a softer race to return in. (11) DANAEUN RUBY has a 3rd and a 4th to her name and that’s enough to put her in line for a place here. (1) INDIE MINISTER and (3) LOOM CHUKJE other contenders for the minors.
| Selections | (10) Geoljak Maru (7) Metal Invader (11) Danaeun Ruby (1) Indie Minister |
| Next Best | 3, 2 |
| Fast Start | 1, 23, 11 |
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
After running 4th on debut in July, (4) GOLD X has finished 3rd in two subsequent tries, both of them over this distance and both times coming from off the pace. Expect similar tactics today and he should be too good late on. (10) PNS LEAF comes in off a much-improved 3rd over 1300M on October 5thh when slow out and running on. The time was slow, but he steps up to 1400M for the first time today and it may well suit. (11) CHEONGGANG GYEOUL similarly was an improved 3rd last time when ridden forward much earlier than in previous efforts. She has the challenge of the widest gate this time but with a touch of luck at the start, she can be in this. (5) THUNDER RUN and (7) CHEONMAUI HANSEONG are the other main contenders.
| Selections | (4) Gold X (10) PNS Leaf (11) Cheonggang Gyeoul (5) Thunder Run |
| Next Best | 7, 9 |
| Fast Start | 2, 5, 7, 9 |
Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
It took (1) GEOLJAK TIARA a couple of goes following her maiden win to get accustomed to this level, but she has been very consistent since, with two 2nd places and two 4th places from her latest two. In this company and from the inside gate, she can be on pace, and she can win. (6) SUNGANUI FIGHTER was a winner at this class and distance two starts back before running 3rd on September 12th, coming from off the pace. He is up 4kg from his win but can be challenging late again. (2) DONGBAEK comes up in class following and all the way win over this distance on September 19th. This is tougher, but the manner of that victory suggests that there can be more to come. (10) STORM CRUSH and (9) HOT FEVER are among plenty of other chances.
| Selections | (1) Geoljak Tiara (6) Sunganui Fighter (2) Dongbaek (10) Storm Crush |
| Next Best | 9, 4 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 9, 10 |
Seoul Race 4: Class 3 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(3) MAEUM HANA is a winner of five from eight so far, most recently at this class over 1200M in August. He weakened to 5th having led when tried at 1800M last time out on September but back down in trip he should be much more comfortable today and looks hard to beat. (11) RAON NIZHINSKII needs a line drawn through his latest but going on his 2nd place at this class and distance on August 29th, he is worth another chance here. (8) LUCKY FRANK was a beaten favourite last time out but is a multiple placer at this level and is also worth another chance. (5) DREAM HONOUR and (6) CHEONGRYONGUI CAL are others who can ave a say in the finish.
| Selections | (3) Maeum Hana (11) Raon Nizhinskii (8) Lucky Frank (5) Dream Honour |
| Next Best | 6, 7 |
| Fast Start | 3, 6, 8, 10 |
Yeongcheon Race 1: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Fillies and mares only. (1) RACE NINE was 2nd on debut before getting her maiden win in a lightning quick time over 1000M at start number two in August. She was then 3rd on her first try at this distance on September 18th. She comes to Yeongcheon for the first time, she can be on pace, and she can win. (2) FANTASTIC QUEENS was an on-pace winner over 1000M in an all-filly maiden on September 18th. She is up in class and in trip but there’s nothing to suggest that she can’t measure up. (9) YEONGGWANGUIROOKIE enters off a useful 3rd place at this class and distance on September 6th and can aim to match that here. (3) GOLDEN CODE, who got her maiden win last time out, is another contender. The form falls off after those four, with (5) BLACK WAVE probably the best of the rest.
| Selections | (1) Race Nine (2) Fantastic Queens (9) Yeonggwanguirookie (3) Golden Code |
| Next Best | 5, 7 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 3, 4 |
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Fillies (and one mare) only here. (1) ECLIPSE SUNNY came from a long way back to win at this class over 1300M on September 13th in a very similar race to this. She is up 3kg in weight but in this company, that may not be enough to stop her from winning again. (5) NURI YEOWANG is up in class having run 2nd in both outings to date. She has been doing her best work late, so the step up in trip can suit, and under a very light weight, she can be a danger. (4) RAON THE TONY was an all the way class and distance winner two starts back and while she struggled in tougher company than this on September 13th, she’s worth another chance today. (9) SILVER MOON and (6) COSMO JJIN other place chances.
| Selections | (1) Eclipse Sunny (5) Nuri Yeowang (4) Raon The Tony (9) Silver Moon |
| Next Best | 6, 2 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 4, 7 |
Yeongcheon Race 2: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(2) CORE TIGER got his maiden win at start two and has been working back to another with a 5th, a 4th and a 3rd from his subsequent three, most recently at 1400M on September 11th. In this company he can be on or close to the pace, and he is the one to beat. (11) NORTHERN QUEEN is yet to win in twelve but has no fewer then nine top five finishes, four of them over this distance. The wide draw shouldn’t be a problem, and she is the main danger. (9) BEOLGYO VILLAIN races for the first time since July. She has won at this class and distance as recently as May and she looked well – and quick – in a September trial. (7) BIG STAR and (4) NICE MYEONGGA are others in the hunt.
| Selections | (2) Core Tiger (11) Northern Queen (9) Beolgyo Villain (7) Big Star |
| Next Best | 4, 6 |
| Fast Start | 2, 4, 9, 11 |
Seoul Race 6: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
It’s hard to recommend a twenty-race maiden but it’s hard not to here with (3) EXCELLENT HANSEN. Her recent form is superior to the rest and se comes in after 2nd place at this class and distance on September 13th. She won’t need to improve much on that to go one better. (1) SONGDANGMANGCHI returned from twenty-months out and weakened having led early over 1300M. He should strip much fitter for that run and back in the dim and distance past, he did once win over this distance. (9) YONGBI SHINHWA is a thirteen-start maiden and (10) AFLEET RUN is an eleven-start maiden and both mix their form. At their respective bests, however, both are in with a shout of breaking through here. (6) YEONDONG STAR got his maiden win two outings back and while he had a hard time on his first try at this class behind Excellent Hansen, he can be given another chance on a place line.
| Selections | (3) Excellent Hansen (1) Songdangmangchi (9) Yongbi Shinhwa (10) Afleet Run |
| Next Best | 6, 2 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 6, 10 |
Yeongcheon Race 3: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(1) DRAGON DEVIL was a winner at this class and distance in June and has a 3rd, a 2nd and most recently a 4th, the later at this track on September 20th when e was sent off as favourite but was slow away and then lost momentum when hindered in the run. With a better start today, he can win. (7) CHARMING BOSS was an all the way winner at this class and distance in August before running 3rd at this distance on Yeongcheon’s opening day. Seo Seung-un being on for the first time, means he will probably start as favourite. Veteran (10) GOLDEN becomes the first horse to race at this track three times. The nine-year-old was an all the way winner on October 4th over this distance at class 3 level and while up 3kg in weight, is not to be dismissed. (6) FLY TO THE MOON and (2) DAEROUI BIT others in the hunt.
| Selections | (1) Dragon Devil (7) Charming Boss (10) Golden (6) Fly To The Moon |
| Next Best | 2, 3 |
| Fast Start | 2, 7, 9, 10 |
Seoul Race 7: Class 4 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
We’ll take a chance on (3) CUPID COMMAND here. Both his wins have come at this distance he enters following a close 2nd over 1800M at this class on September 13th when he laid out in the home straight – something he does tend to do. He has come through a trial since then and under a light weight can go close at an each-way price. (7) THE EXCELLENT was an also-ran in the final leg of the Triple Crown and was 4th on his latest start in a better race than this over 1800M. He can be a threat here. (6) BEST JOY was an upset winner over this distance on September, coming from off the pace. He is up in class, but down 4kg in weight and can be competitive. (1) SUPERDAY and (4) MIGHTY BEAT are other place chances.
| Selections | (3) Cupid Command (7) The Excellent (6) Best Joy (1) Superday |
| Next Best | 4, 10 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 4, 8 |
Yeongcheon Race 4: Class 4 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(3) POWERFUL MENIFEE is a winner of two from four, including his latest back on July 10th over 1300M when he was close to the pace throughout. He went lame after that but has been back in work since September 16th and while he is up in class and in trip, he has every chance here. (9) TOHAMSAN HONOR has raced just three times with his best being his latest when 2nd over 1000M on October 2nd. He comes up significantly in trip, but he is down in weight and he could be close. (1) BUGYEONG TRIPLE beat Powerful Menifee when winning at class 5 over 1300M back in June. He has struggled a little in two starts at this level, but this company is a little softer. (8) RICH TREE and (6) THE WIND others in the minor money frame.
| Selections | (3) Powerful Menifee (9) Tohamsan Honor (1) Bugyeong Triple (8) Rich Tree |
| Next Best | 6, 4 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3, 5, 10 |
Seoul Race 8: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
It’s hard to go past (1) BYEOLKONG here. He was a winner at this class two starts back before finishing 4th behind the very good The Sun Story on September 12th. An apprentice keeps his weight low and he can come from off the pace to win. It’s not a strong set of rivals. (9) NAMSAN MUJEOK is better than his recent form suggests and while he can get himself a bit far back in his races, this is the kind of race where the vastly experienced seven-year-old can find some money. (4) LUCKY BOOM enters off a 4th place at this class and distance on October 10th and makes a quick return here with claims to go better. (5) POWER ETCHED and (8) AMOS GOLD perhaps the others with minor money chances.
| Selections | (1) Byeolkong (9) Namsan Mujeok (4) Lucky Boom (5) Power Etched |
| Next Best | 8, 6 |
| Fast Start | 5, 6, 7, 8 |
Yeongcheon Race 5: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(2) NINETEEN NINE WON comes in off his worst start to date on September 18th when from a wide draw he was unable to find a good position at any point. We’ll draw a line trough that and going on his back-to-back 2nd places at this class and distance in July and August, we’ll make him the top pick again. After finishing 4th on debut, (8) LOST KINGDOM was a winner at start number two over this distance on September 11th. He is up in class here but comes down 2.5kg in weight and should be on pace and in this a long way. (7) SWORN QUEEN got her maiden win at this distance and comes in from two 2nd places and a 4th from her latest three. She should be there or thereabouts again. (3) DOCTOR HUNTER and (11) GOLD ROGER other place chances.
| Selections | (2) Nineteen Nine Won (8) Lost Kingdom (7) Sworn Queen (3) Doctor Hunter |
| Next Best | 11, 5 |
| Fast Start | 2, 5, 6, 8 |
Yeongcheon Race 6: Class 3 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(11) RONALD DUCK was 2nd at this class and distance on September 13th having been on pace throughout. He has a habit of laying out and he did it again to the extent that he got sent back to trial, which he came through in good order, and if he behaves himself, he can win. (7) WIND MIREU was a winner here over this distance on September 20th, running on from midfield. He is up in class but down in weight and he can win again. (8) GANGSEO TREND had a hard time over 1800M last time out on what was his first try at this class. He comes back to a trip over which he has two wins and a 2nd from three tries and under a light weight, he has every chance. (10) BEOLMAUI ACE and the returning (4) DUSTIN MARINE others who can be in the mix.
| Selections | (11) Ronald Duck (7) Wind Mireu (8) Gangseo Trend (10) Beolmaui Ace |
| Next Best | 4, 6 |
| Fast Start | 2, 4, 7, 11 |
Seoul Race 9: Class 2 (2000M) Handicap / KRW 90 Million
(8) JD GANGJA was a winner over 1800M at class 3 level on September 20th, racing handy throughout. He looks to be getting better all the time and while he is up to class 2 and to 2000M for the first time, there is no reason either should be a problem and he can win again. (2) MUSTANG POWER has finished 2nd or 3rd in each of his last six outings, all at this class and last time only very narrowly missing out to Traum King over this distance on September 20th. He has his fair share of weight again – giving JD Gangja 6kg may be too much to overcome – but he can certainly be close again. (7) LUCKY PARTY was a class and distance winner two starts back before finishing down the field in the Listed Ilgan Sports. He carries 3.5kg more than when he won but can aim for the places here. (5) STORM BREAKER and (6) TAEPYEONG HERO others to consider on a place line.
| Selections | (8) JD Gangja (2) Mustang Power (7) Lucky Party (5) Storm Breaker |
| Next Best | 6, 4 |
| Fast Start | 3, 5, 7, 8 |
Seoul Race 10: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
After running 2nd on debut, (6) MAHO was a winner at start number two over 1000M at the end of July, leading all the way, before finishing last, but not disgraced, in the France Galop Trophy for juveniles on international weekend. He comes back into more amenable company today and he can win. The probable favourite is (8) IKKEULIM. He won back-to-back races over this distance at class 5 level in June and July, leading all the way both times, and has a 4th and a 2nd in two outings so far at this class, most recently on September 20th. He is up 2kg in weight but has every chance. (11) ECLIPSE BOSS, racing for the first time since April, is the wildcard. He didn’t offer too many clues in a trial at the start of this month but was a very good winner at class 5 before the layoff. (2) COMPLETE DIVA and (4) SSAK DANAEUN are the other main place chances.
| Selections | (6) Maho (8) Ikkeulim (11) Eclipse Boss (2) Complete Diva |
| Next Best | 4, 3 |
| Fast Start | 2, 6, 8, 11 |
Seoul Race 11: Class 3 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(2) BEST PITCH is a winner of five from ten so far with the latest coming at this class and distance on July 25th when he came from off the pace. He had a hard time from a wide draw in the Singapore Pools Trophy at 1200M on international weekend, but this looks a more suitable assignment, and he can return to form. (4) MOVING VOLCANO hasn’t been far off in his latest few. From a good draw, he should be on pace, and he can be in this a long way. (6) JAZZ PURPLE will need a line through his latest, which just like Best Pitch, was that Singapore Pools Trophy. He was 2nd to Best Pitch on July 25th and can push him again. (11) THUNDER A ONE and (8) YONGBI HERO others to consider.
| Selections | (2) Best Pitch (4) Moving Volcano (6) Jazz Purple (11) Thunder A One |
| Next Best | 8, 9 |
| Fast Start | 4, 5, 6, 10 |
